As co-favorites to win the Stanley Cup before the season and the second choice when the playoffs started, the Carolina Hurricanes were a popular pick for bettors. Many fans are invested, through those bets, as the team faces off in the final against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The state of North Carolina, too, is invested in the outcome, even if it passed up on a chance to invest directly in the Canes. The state collects 18% of gross wagering revenue from eight legal and regulated operators. It has collected more than $287 million in taxes since the March 2024 launch of online sports betting, far exceeding initial projections.
